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Sussex Stun Notts: Pietersen Stars

Thursday, April 1 2004

Just seven months ago Sussex were fighting hard to avoid the tag of becoming the wooden spoon holders in the One Day form of the game, today they achieved the almost impossible and successfully chased down a immense target of 366 to beat Notts in their second pre-season friendly.

England Academy star Kevin Pietersen got his Notts season off to a flying start by smashing the County Champions all around the ground at Hove, Pietersen continued his fine form from the England A winter tour of India with a quick-fire century at more than a run a ball.

Darren Bicknell also weighed in with a fine hundred as Notts set Sussex the formidable target of 366 from 50 overs.

Richard Logan then grabbed two wickets and Greg Smith another in his first start of 2004 as Sussex were reduced to 92-3 off 16 overs, but a massive fightback saw Sussex home with just a over and a wicket to spare.

Clough will remember the day for all the wrong reasons as the Sussex batsman took to him and in his one and only over was hit for five sixes and a single of his one over, (3 sixes to M Innes & 2 sixes to Wright).

At the top of the order winter signing Ian Ward got 51 and Matt Prior 42, but the middle order slumped and at one stage fell to 128/6 and looked dead and buried when that went to 175/9 before M Innes hit 92 and then a dramatic last wicket partnership of 60 between Mo Akrams (27*) and Wright (82*) led the victory charge.

SUSSEX v NOTTS - 50 over game

Notts 365/3:(Pietersen 149*, Bicknell 139)

Sussex 366/9:(M Innes 92, Wright 82*)


Meanwhile Lancashire continued their strong form in the Western Cape with a win over Western Province Academy XI at Bellville yesterday. The visitors scored a total of 274/9 and bowled the home team all out for 130.

Iain Sutcliffe top scored for Lancashire with 67 and Glen Chapple enjoyed a productive match with both bat and ball making 47 and 3 for 23.

Posted by Richard